PhD
Studentship (Sponsored by Lloyds Register Foundation) – Vibration-based
structural health monitoring through self-diagnosing structural components made
of nano enriched composites

The main goal of this proposal is to develop the foundations of dynamically
self-sensing and self-diagnosing structures capable of measuring their
vibrations and using them to diagnose their structural integrity. The
background stems from vibration-based structural health monitoring, which uses
the structural vibrations to make conclusions about its integrity and health.
This is combined with the idea of using conductive or piezo-electric
nano-inclusions as sensors, which is based on the piezo-resistive and
piezo-electric properties of some materials. The first relate the conductivity
and the strain of the structure and hence its vibrations, while the latter
convert the strain into voltage and vice versa and they are used for
dynamic/vibration transducers. Another approach will consists on the inclusion
of ferromagnetic mesh materials which is based on the magnetoelastic effect
(Inverse magnetostrictive effect) that can be used as sensor when mechanical
stresses are applied to the sample. This proposal suggests to employ
piezoresistive, piezo-electric nano-inclusions and/or ferromagnetic mesh
materials for measuring and assessment of the structural vibrations and use
these vibrations to assess the structural health.

Project Outline

The idea of self-diagnosing structures opens the road towards autonomous
structures, capable to not only self- diagnose their condition but eventually
even take some repair steps. This is applicable for a wide variety of
structures including aerospace, mechanical and civil engineering ones like e.g.
aircrafts, turbine blades, buildings and bridges.

The suggested approach is based on a no-intervention principle, coupled with
new integrated within the structure measurement and vibration assessment
technology. It proposes a unified approach for structural health monitoring
comprising 1) a new self-sensing theory, coupled with 2) a vibration-based
monitoring and diagnostic methodology for detecting anomalies in both short
term (damage) and long term ( fatigue or wear) scale. This research will
advance the concept of vibration-based structural health monitoring expanding
it to self-health monitoring by applying piezo-resistive, piezo-electric nano
and ferromagnetic mesh inclusions. It will also promote our understanding for
the dynamic properties and behaviour of piezo-resistive, piezo-electric and
ferromagnetic materials and nano-inclusions and their influence on the global
dynamic properties of the structure in which they are included.

About the Industrial Sponsor

The Lloyd’s Register Foundation funds the advancement of engineer-related
education and research and supports work that enhances safety of life at sea,
on land and in the air, because life matters. Lloyd’s Register Foundation is
partly funded by the profits of their trading arm Lloyd’s Register Group
Limited, a global engineering, technical and business services organisation.

About NSIRC

NSIRC is a state-of-the-art postgraduate engineering facility established and
managed by structural integrity specialist TWI, working closely with, top UK
and International Universities and a number of leading industrial
partners.NSIRC aims to deliver cutting edge research and highly qualified
personnel to its key industrial partners.

About the University

The University of Strathclyde is a leading International University with around
20,000 students from more than 100 nations. The mission of the University to
increase opportunities for people from every background. It offers a wide
portfolio of graduate and post graduate degrees in engineering, science,
humanities and business. The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
is the largest and the best in Scotland. The goal of the Department is to train
the best engineering professionals and leaders, to conduct high-impact, world-class
research and support industry for the good of the Scottish and UK economies.
The academics conduct world-leading research in energy systems, space
engineering, materials and fluid systems. The Department offers a world-class
environment and a warm welcome to collaborators from around the globe.

Candidate Requirements

Candidates should have a relevant degree at 2.1 minimum, or an equivalent
overseas degree in mechanical and/or materials engineering. Candidates with
suitable work experience and strong capacity in numerical modelling and
experimental skills are particularly welcome to apply. Overseas applicants
should also submit IELTS results (minimum 6.5) if applicable.

Funding Notes

This project is funded by Lloyds Register Foundation, TWI and academic
partners. The studentship will provide successful Home/EU students with a
stipend of £16k/year and will cover the cost of tuition fees. Overseas
applicants are welcome to apply, with total funding capped at £24k/year.